Starting an outdoor lighting business combines creativity, outdoor activities and entrepreneurship, making it perfect for people passionate about transforming outdoor spaces.
Whether it’s industrial or residential, outdoor lighting services are in high demand. If you need to learn more about starting a business in the field of outdoor lighting—here is a crash course.
Get to know the market
Regardless of your industry, your first exercise ought to be a deep dive into the market. Talk to neighbors who have outdoor lighting, contact corporations and get quotes for yourself to familiarize yourself with competitors’ processes and prices, spend time searching online to raised understand the industry and trends in your area.
This initial process will provide invaluable information that ought to allow you to make strategic decisions regarding further development and effective operation. Demographics, preferences, and the competitive landscape in which you use are essential aspects when starting a landscape lighting business.
Business planning and structure
As you progress in starting your landscape lighting business, you’ll want to devote time and resources to developing a business plan and building the legal and administrative foundations of your organization.
Creating business plan it mainly involves creating a roadmap for your outdoor lighting business. It should discuss your overall plans for marketing, goal customers, operations, and financial projections. This is essential for financing purposes, but more importantly, it is your north star as you begin your business.
Once you have prepared your business plan, you’ll want to get your other administrative and legal matters in order. This includes applying for a business license, opening a checking account, and getting your tax documents in order.
This setup provides the solid foundation every startup needs.
Develop your skills and knowledge
You may already be an expert at installing landscape lighting, but if you are not, you need to take the time to familiarize yourself with the technical skills needed for installation low-voltage outdoor lighting.
Fortunately, most cities do not require any formal education or licensing to put in low-voltage landscape lighting, which suggests you may start installing landscape lighting as soon as you’re feeling comfortable with it. You should still spend a lot of time researching different landscape lighting installation techniques and concepts, because combining the aesthetics of outdoor lighting with the function of a well-lit outdoor space is an art.
Additionally, staying current and continually improving your skills and knowledge will allow you to gain more credibility with your customers and increase your ability to speak about your products and deliver exceptional results to your customers. What’s more, you may also separate yourself from other, less dedicated landscape lighting installers in your area.
Consistent marketing and sales
Marketing and sales are two areas that may make or break your landscape lighting startup. If you have a strategic approach to marketing yourself and your business that supports your sales efforts, you’ll probably see higher results. There ought to be a consistent journey for your customers that takes them from interest to customer.
This journey can happen via multiple media (social, email, in-person, texting, etc.) and can have different time frames depending on the products, services and scope of the lighting project. By understanding and preparing for the variety of the way customers interact with your business, you may develop a solid and robust marketing strategy that outperforms the competition.
Also keep in mind that during sales conversations, your products can distinguish you from the competition. Consider working with reputable corporations outdoor lighting manufacturers like Americana Outdoor Lighting to supply their customers exclusive, high-end products that they can not find at their local Lowes or Home Depot stores.
These outdoor lights will enhance any outdoor space while offering a lifetime warranty and unrivaled light output. And when you are able to wrap up sales calls, offer sunset shows so customers can see a noticeable difference in lighting – especially high-quality lighting.
Project and client management
Once you launch your landscape lighting startup, you may start attracting leads and, ultimately, jobs. It may be overwhelming at first, but it is advisable focus on project management to avoid bottlenecks, missed deadlines, and unsatisfied customers.
Consider using a project management tool to remain on top of your tasks and avoid any hiccups in the process. Also keep in mind that while you are selling products to your customers, you are also selling the service of putting in those lighting fixtures – so strive to offer excellent customer support from start to complete (and beyond).
Great products and customer support will allow you to build lasting relationships that may allow you to resell to a customer or increase referrals. Also encourage your customers to review and share their experiences online to further increase your digital footprint in the local landscape lighting sphere.
Scaling your startup
As your startup matures, you will need to buy around and consider the best strategies for scaling your outdoor lighting business. This may include hiring and training more salespeople and installers, expanding into surrounding cities, or offering additional services similar to RGBW lighting or A/V systems.
The outdoor lighting industry is always evolving, so maintaining a flexible and forward-thinking approach will do wonders for the success of your recent landscape lighting business.
Start your outdoor lighting business today
Starting a successful outdoor lighting business requires some technical skills, strategic planning and dedication. If you may mix these ingredients, you may be well on your method to a rewarding and profitable profession in the outdoor lighting installation industry.